Correlation between incidental FDG PET/CT colorectal observations and endoscopic and histopathological results.

Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG PET/CT) is used in the imaging workup of various malignancies. Incidental gastrointestinal observations on FDG PET/CT may be of clinical significance. The aim of the present study was to evaluate endoscopic and histopathological observations in patients referred for colonoscopy due to incidental FDG colonic uptake on a PET/CT study.

Lifestyle modification parallels to sleeve success.

Background: The role of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) has increased over the past 10 years. We present our results of patients who were 5 years out from surgery with regard to safety and long-term efficacy.

Methods: Retrospective analysis was carried out from prospectively collected data of patients who underwent LSG for morbid obesity.

Increased Toll-like receptor 9 expression by B cells from inflammatory bowel disease patients.

Background: Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are important mediators of the innate immune response. Our aim was to evaluate TLR9 expression in peripheral B cells, taken from inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients before and after anti-inflammatory treatment. Nineteen patients with IBD (12-crohn's disease, 7-ulcerative colitis) and 18 healthy controls were included in the study.

Dietary glutamine supplementation prevents mucosal injury and modulates intestinal epithelial restitution following acetic acid induced intestinal injury in rats.

Beneficial effects of glutamine (GLN) have been described in many gastrointestinal disorders. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the preventative effect of oral GLN supplementation against acetic acid (AA) induced intestinal injury in a rat. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four experimental groups: control (CONTR) rats underwent laparotomy, control-glutamine (CONTR-GLN) rats were treated with enteral glutamine given in drinking water (2%) 48 hours before and five days following laparotomy, AA rats underwent laparotomy and injection of AA into an isolated jejunal loop, and acetic acid-glutamine (AA-GLN) rats underwent AA-induced injury and were treated with enteral GLN 48 hours before and 5 days following laparotomy.

Getting the most from the sleeve: the importance of post-operative follow-up.

Background: Bariatric approach to obesity provides substantial weight loss and comorbidity resolution. Our unique service includes pre- and postoperative visits to the Health and Nutrition Clinic headed by a specialist in gastroenterology and nutrition. We compared patients attending regular clinic routine with those who were lost to follow-up with regard to anthropometry, comorbidity, quality of life, and food tolerance and determined who benefited most from the operation.

Adenosine deaminase activity in patients with Crohn's disease: distinction between active and nonactive disease.

Background: Crohn's disease (CD) is a common chronic inflammatory bowel disease. During the disease a cascade of immunologic events occur including mucosal influx of inflammatory cells like neutrophils. Adenosine deaminase (ADA) is important in inflammatory responses and serves as a marker of activated leukocytes.

A nine-year audit of open-access upper gastrointestinal endoscopic procedures: results and experience of a single centre.

Background: The appropriateness and safety of open-access endoscopy are very important issues as its use continues to increase.

Objective: To present a review of a nine-year experience with open-access upper gastrointestinal endoscopy with respect to indications, diagnostic efficacy, safety and diseases diagnosed.

Methods: A retrospective, observational case series of all patients who underwent open-access endoscopy between January 2000 and December 2008 was conducted.

Colorectal cancer among Arab-Israeli women--possible reasons for increased incidence and mortality.

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) screening is effective in reducing its incidence by discovering precancerous polyps and detecting early cancer. Evidence indicates lower participation in screening programs among minority ethnic groups. In addition, the Israel Cancer Registry published an increase in the incidence of CRC among Israeli-Arab women.

Sleeve gastrectomy leads to Helicobacter pylori eradication.

Background: The role of Helicobacter pylori (HP) in patients scheduled and undergoing laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) has not been previously evaluated.

Methods: Included were obese patients presenting to our institution for LSG over 24 months. All patients had presurgical HP breath test, and the symptomatic ones received triple therapy with symptom follow-up.

Incidental colorectal computed tomography abnormalities: would you send every patient for a colonoscopy?

Background: The clinical significance of colorectal wall thickening (CRWT) in patients undergoing abdominal computed tomography (CT) has not yet been definitively established.

Objectives: To compare alleged findings on abdominal CT with those of a follow-up colonoscopy.

Methods: Ninety-four consecutive patients found to have large-bowel abnormalities on abdominal CT were referred for colonoscopy.

Significant colonic neoplasia prevalence and ASGE recommendations: is it time for a change?

Goals And Background: To Evaluate the indications versus diagnostic yield of significant colonic neoplasia (SCN) in the open-access era and screening colonoscopy.

Study: During 6-year period, all procedural data were obtained from all consecutive patients who underwent colonoscopies. Indications were compared with American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy guidelines.

Oxidative stress, inflammation and neutrophil superoxide release in patients with Crohn's disease: distinction between active and non-active disease.

Increased oxidative stress has been previously demonstrated in patients with Crohn's disease (CD). However, to date, this parameter has not been assessed in a comparative study of patients in prolonged remission and those with the active disease. We report here our study of lipid peroxidation, antioxidant and inflammation status in serum derived from 16 active CD patients, 27 clinically stable patients, and 15 healthy controls.

Primary duodenal mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma--a rare presentation of gastric outlet obstruction.

Malignant lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) can arise in a variety of anatomical sites. The majority of these tumors arise in the stomach, with fewer than 30% arising in the small intestine. Primary duodenal MALT lymphoma is a very rare neoplasm.

Diagnostic yield and safety of colonoscopy in Israeli patients in an open access referral system.

Background: Open access endoscopy allows reference of patients for endoscopic procedures without prior gastrointestinal consultation, allowing the procedure to be more accessible. This practice is becoming increasingly widespread in the United States and other countries and has become commonplace in clinical practice in Israel. The objective of our study is to bring forward our experience with an open access referral system for colonoscopy and to measure the yield and safety of colonoscopy in this system.

Enhanced oxidative stress and leucocyte activation in neoplastic tissues of the colon.

Excess of intracellular reactive oxygen species results in an environment that may modulate gene expression, or damage cellular molecules. These events are assumed to contribute to the process of carcinogenesis. In the present study, we measured the extent of lipid peroxidation and antioxidative status in colonic tumors and normal colonic mucosa obtained from 25 patients with colorectal carcinoma.

[Infliximab in inflammatory bowel diseases--conference summary and suggested guidelines].

Infliximab, the monoclonal anti-tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) antibodies preparation, is efficacious in the treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases. However, the optimal therapeutic approach is still under investigation. Reports on side effects and potential complications of infliximab therapy, as well as of other anti-TNF-alpha blocking agents are accumulating.

[Open access colonoscopy: do primary care physicians use it properly?].

Background: Open access endoscopy facilitates the performance of colonoscopy on a physician's request, without a prior consultation with a gastroenterologist.

Objectives: To investigate: (1) the rates of relevant endoscopic findings in patients referred by family physicians compared to other specialists; (2) whether there is overuse of open-access colonoscopy in our country where the examination is free of charge for the patient; (3) whether a high rate of pre-malignant and malignant incidental findings might justify a more liberal approach to the indications of colonoscopy.

Methods: Prospective study including all consecutive ambulatory patients referred for open access colonoscopy.

Acute pancreatitis and upper gastrointestinal bleeding as presenting symptoms of duodenal Brunner's gland hamartoma.

Brunner's gland hamartomas are rare, benign small bowel tumours. There were fewer than 150 cases reported in the English literature until the end of the last century. These hamartomas may be discovered incidentally during an upper gastrointestinal tract endoscopy.

Is traveler's diarrhea a significant risk factor for the development of irritable bowel syndrome? A prospective study.

A total of 564 travelers were enrolled in a study aimed at investigating the influence of traveler's diarrhea in the development of irritable bowel syndrome. At 6-7 months after repatriation, we found that an episode of traveler's diarrhea was associated with a quintuple risk of developing irritable bowel syndrome.

Increasing the infliximab dose is beneficial in Crohn's disease patients who responded to a lower dose and relapsed.

Background: Relapse after an initial response to infliximab therapy poses a problem for maintenance treatment.

Aim: To assess the effects of increasing the infliximab dosage in Crohn's disease (CD) patients who initially responded but flared during maintenance therapy.

Methods: This was an observational study.

Hydrocortisone-induced convulsions.

Glucocorticoids may indirectly cause convulsions by the induction of electrolytes abnormalities, severe hypertension, or severe hyperglycemia. These agents may rarely cause convulsions by a direct toxicity to the central nervous system (CNS). We describe a 23-yr-old patient with Crohn's disease in whom generalized convulsions developed on two occasions while receiving intravenous hydrocortisone.

Dietary Dunaliella bardawil, a beta-carotene-rich alga, protects against acetic acid-induced small bowel inflammation in rats.

Background: Reactive oxygen species mediate tissue injury in inflammatory bowel disease. Beta-carotene is known as a potent free radical quencher and antioxidant.

Aim: The authors evaluated the efficacy of prefeeding Dunaliella bardawil, rich in beta-carotene, to ameliorate acid-induced enteritis in a rat model.

Bone density in axial and appendicular skeleton in patients with lactose intolerance: influence of calcium intake and vitamin D status.

Background: Lactose intolerance (LI) is a common enzymatic insufficiency, manifesting by poor tolerance of dairy products, leading to low calcium intake and poor calcium absorption from dairy products. These changes might lead to an impairment of bone metabolism [1].

Objectives: To evaluate the impact of LI on quantitative bone parameters in axial and appendicular skeletal sites.